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Tesla, software and disruption

ben-evans.com

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Re: Tesla, software and disruption

#2
Excellent article with well-reasoned analysis of the range of future possibilities for Tesla. But one disappointing omission is any mention of ride-hailing - surely it will have enormous consequences for the entire auto industry because people will for the most part stop buying cars and switch to autonomous taxis. This will (a) reduce the demand for number of new cars produced; (b) reduce the profit from each car (nobody really cares about the color or horsepower or brand of the taxi they take to work)

Re: Tesla, software and disruption

#3
post #2

Excellent article with well-reasoned analysis of the range of future possibilities for Tesla. But one disappointing omission is any mention of ride-hailing - surely it will have enormous consequences for the entire auto industry because people will for the most part stop buying cars and switch to autonomous taxis. This will (a) reduce the demand for number of new cars produced; (b) reduce the profit from each car (no…

Actually it would be nice to see someone take a crack at that... There are so many aspects there... Women and families may not want to jump in a car that other people touch. People that commute across the desert. Surely it will have an affect, but it might not exactly kill the auto industry.. but it might be enough to make a strong winner for the ones that can remain in a reduced market.

Re: Tesla, software and disruption

#4
it seems the article boils down to the autonomy puzzle in Tesla. Could Tesla make the autonomy a realization with their approach? would waymo approach be better in the future?

One thing I think that is missing, although it mentioned people love their Tesla and so is other thing in life. It is the fact that I felt that this is derived from the way Tesla designed the car, it is intuitive just like when the first Iphone introduced. There is no whistle and bells like the traditional car. Just like iphone compare to Nokia.

My big take away is harder for the car company to become a software company than a software company become a car company. Not to mentioned as a car company, it has lots of 'legacy' or baggage that they have to deal with.

The works is two times harder I think for an incumbent to become a software company as a compare software company to become a hardware company. First: As an incumbent they have to unlearned the old way of doing or thinking about what a car company is. Second: If they are successful at the first one, then they have to learn how to do the software.

While for Tesla, is only 1 step which is to learn how to make car (about the hardware). Tesla does not need to unlearn about things because it has no legacy.

In my experience it is harder to unlearn about things rather than learning about things. I might be wrong :)

Re: Tesla, software and disruption

#5

it seems the article boils down to the autonomy puzzle in Tesla. Could Tesla make the autonomy a realization with their approach? would waymo approach be better in the future? One thing I think that is missing, although it mentioned people love their Tesla and so is other thing in life. It is the fact that I felt that this is derived from the way Tesla designed the car, it is intuitive just like when the first Iphone…

>Not to mentioned as a car company, it has lots of 'legacy' or baggage that they have to deal with.

Yeah, all "legacy" is bad. What could they possibly have learned in 100 years of building cars? Nothing that Tesla can't replicate in less than a decade! Meanwhile, Tesla owners are recommending a checklist of possible defects to look for when you go to pick up your vehicle. Non-super-fans will never tolerate that.

No bells and whistles? Simpler than the tactile interface of legacy cars? This is simply not true.

Re: Tesla, software and disruption

#7
post #6

If batteries are getting so cheap why isn’t anyone making battery powered: chainsaws, full size vacuum cleaners, jet skis, ride on mowers? All of those would be revolutionary.

Battery powered chainsaws are very popular for light duty work. Small battery powered vacuums are also very popular.

You might as well ask, if batteries are getting cheap, why isn't anybody making cordless drills?

Re: Tesla, software and disruption

#8
post #2

Excellent article with well-reasoned analysis of the range of future possibilities for Tesla. But one disappointing omission is any mention of ride-hailing - surely it will have enormous consequences for the entire auto industry because people will for the most part stop buying cars and switch to autonomous taxis. This will (a) reduce the demand for number of new cars produced; (b) reduce the profit from each car (no…

If Tesla is the first to crack autonomy they will win, regardless of ride-hailing. If Tesla doesn't crack autonomy they're likely to go under, regardless of ride-hailing.

Re: Tesla, software and disruption

#9
post #6

If batteries are getting so cheap why isn’t anyone making battery powered: chainsaws, full size vacuum cleaners, jet skis, ride on mowers? All of those would be revolutionary.

Most tool brands (milwaukee, dewalt, ryobi) are transitioning from tool companies to battery companies. Lots of cheap tools and expensive batteries.

Also, battery powered chainsaws (husqvarna is well regarded for their chainsaws): https://www.husqvarna.com/us/products/chainsaws/536li-xp/966...

battery powered riding lawnmowers (ryobi not well known for ride-on mowers): https://www.homedepot.com/p/Ryobi-38-in-75-Ah-Battery-Electr...

Re: Tesla, software and disruption

#10
post #6

If batteries are getting so cheap why isn’t anyone making battery powered: chainsaws, full size vacuum cleaners, jet skis, ride on mowers? All of those would be revolutionary.

Most tool brands (milwaukee, dewalt, ryobi) are transitioning from tool companies to battery companies. Lots of cheap tools and expensive batteries. Also, battery powered chainsaws (husqvarna is well regarded for their chainsaws): https://www.husqvarna.com/us/products/chainsaws/536li-xp/966... battery powered riding lawnmowers (ryobi not well known for ride-on mowers): https://www.homedepot.com/p/Ryobi-38-in-75-Ah-Ba…

Battery powered chainsaws are definitely a thing and actually work pretty well, even on medium sized trees. Not needing hearing protection is a huge benefit in my opinion.
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